Apparatus for treating kraut



'Spt.2 3,-1930. QH HANSEN 1,776,432

4 APPARATUS FOR HTREA IING KRAUT /A/\/EA/TOR A TTO 3M5)? Sept. 23, 1930. o. H. HANSEN APPARATUS, FOR TREATING KRAU'I 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 16, 1925 A7- ToRA/Ef Sept. 23, 1930.-

Filed Feb. 16, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet ZTT ORA/Ex Sept. 23, 1930..

o. H. HANSEN APPARATU FOR TREATING KRAUT Filed Feb. 16, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 TTORA/EK Sept. 23, 19 v o; H. HANSEN A PPAH ATUS FOR TREATING KRAUT 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 16, 1925 Arro/ 'A/Ef Patented Sept. 23, 1930 I UNITEDYSTATES PATENT OFFICE QSWALD nrrnnsnn, or PORT WASHINGTON, wisconsimnssienon 'ro rmnsnn cAN- NING MACHINERY CORPORATION, or CEDARBUBG, wrscons nn CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN ArrARATUsroR TREATING KRAU'J.

Application filed FcbruarylG, 1925. Serial No. 9,466.

This inventionrelates in general to improvements in the art of treating food, and relates more specifically to improved apparatus for'conditioning, preserving and packing "fibrous or stringy substances such as sauer kraut, although some of the novel featuresare capable of more general application.

Generally stated, an object of the invention is to providesimple and efficient apparatus for preparing, feeding, measuring and packing edible substances, especially sauer kraut. I Some of the morespecificobjects ofand advantages attainable with the present improvement, are as. follows Toprovide apparatus'for conditioning and packing sauer kraut inreceptacles,whereby 'all'of the useful ingredientsof the commodity, including theoriginal juice, maybe utilized and retained. in :the final product.

To provide an-eiiicient machine for preserving .sauer .kraut. and for packing the treatedmaterialiin order to eliminate subse- To provide improved kraut measuring mechanism which'will rapidly and accuratequentlspoilage.

rly produce successive equal and homoge neous batches of such material, and which will "automatically rdeliver the measured batches .in succession, to receptacles such as cans. -:TO providenew and useful automatic feedingmechanism forydelivering fibrous mate- ;rial such,askraut, into thesuccessive pockets p of the measuring mechanism.

F 145 1 cf whichare-conveniently "removable for in- To provide improved mechanism for feed- .ing receptacles such ascans, in s'uccession through acanfillingmachine.

"To provide simple, eflicient and flexible driving-;mechanism for the feeding and measuring mechanisms. of :the improved rkrautstreating machine.

' i Toprovide improved instrumentalities Qwliereby the operating; characteristics of a can vfilling'machineimaybe readily varied to accommodate receptacles of; various sizes. To provide ;3. filllI1gJIl2tCh1Ile'Va1lOI1S parts zasp'ec'tion, andiall parts of-wh'ich are readily accessible for :cleaning. V

i flo .PI'OVldQiVELI'lOIlS other improvements in the details of construction and operation" of April 23, 1923,

can ,iilling machines whereby thecost' of construction lsreduced to a minimum andtthe =efiicicncy of operation is enhanced to a maximum. c r

These and other objects and advantages 7 the improved process and of the details of.

construction and operation of a device em- .bodying the present improvements, may be had by referrlng tothe drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification in which like reference characters designate .thessameorsimilarparts in the various views.

.L'Fig. 1 is a central vertical section through theakrautfeeding, measuring, can feeding and-{driving mechanisms of the improved kraut treating machine. p I

F ig. ;2.is;a top view of the improved kraut treating machine.

. :Eig. 8is a fragmentaryplan View ofthe improved kraut treating machine showing the details of construction ofthe can feeding anddriving mechanisms. I i.

' Fig. ,4 .sa fragmentary vertical section taken along the central vertical plane of the cansupply chute of the improved kraut treating machine. a a i Fig. 5 is a' fragmentary horizontal section throughthe.kraut feeding and measuring mechanisms of the improved treating machine. I i H Fig (i is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section takentransversely, across the kraut feeding and driving mechanisms of the improveditreating machine. 7 p I .;Fig'. 7' isan enlarged elevationof aset of theconveying or rakingfingers-of the improved kraut feeding mechanism.

' 'liigafiiis a developmentof the improved pmeasuring mechanism showing the positions s assumedby the successiveplun'gcrs of the improved kraut treatinginachine.. I

liquid control mechanisms.

transversely through the upper forward por',.

tion of the kraut supply hopper of the imroved treating machine, showing a frag ment of the finger operat ng mechanism associated therewith.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary vertical section through one of the measuringpockets during elevation of the plunger therein.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary vertical section through one of the measuring pockets during delivery of liquid thereto.

- Fig. 14 is a fragmentary vertical section through one of the measuring pockets during topping of the mixture of kra-ut andliquid within a can.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary vertical section through one of the measuring pockets during recession of the plunger therein imme diatcly after topping. Y

Fig.- 16 is an enlarged horizontal section through cooperating fragments of'a measuring pocket, plunger and confining wall.-

Fig. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary view of one of the kraut raking fingers showing the driving end thereof.

Fig. 18 is an enlarged fra mentary sectional View showing details 0" construction of a set of the'kraut rakmg fingers and of the "driving mechanlsm associated therewlth.

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary side'elevation of the improved kraut treating machine show- Fig. 20 is a diagrammatic view showing' one form of apparatus for effecting practical exploitation of the improved process of conditioning, measuring and packing kraut.

Fig. 21 is a diagrammatic transverse vertical sectional view through an improvedautomatic. bleaching and sterilizing machine. Referring specifically to Figs. land 2 of the drawing,it will be apparent that the improved kraut treating machine comprises generally measuring mechanism for automatical ly producing successive equalland homogeneous batches of mixture of conditioned kraut and liquid and for successively discharging the'batches; automatic kraut feeding mechanism for contlnuously urging masses .ofthe kraut fibres in-ribbon formation toward the measuring mechanism; automaticallyfunctioning mechanism for delivering a mixture of original juice and brine to the measuring c mechanism; mechanism for automatically convey'ing cans 38 in succession to, through and from the machine; and driving mechaincr details of construction of the power and.

nism for imparting motion to the various ma- 7 terial and can treating mechanisms.

The automatic measuring mechanism consists of a stationary annular wall or casing 10 having an integral bottom provided with an. elongated discharge opening 7 5; a rotary measuring element 4.0 mounted centrally Within the casing 10 and having formedtherein anv annular series of six equally spaced measuring pockets 7 each ,havillg an open side normally closed by the casing 10 avert cally reciprocable displacement plunger8 located within each of the measuring pockets 7 mechanism for intermittently advancing the poo rets 7 step by step, about the central vertical axis of the casing 10; and a series ofv cams associated with the casinglO for moving theplungers 8 during movement of thepockets 7. T he stationary casing '10 is detachahly supported by the mainframe 28- ofthe machine and haslanopening through one side thereof communicating with the enlarged 5 delivery end of a gradually enlarging or tapered kraut supply conduit .5,-see-Fig. 10.

The annular vertical wall which forms the casing 10is of variable height and cooperates with the vertically adjustable but normally stationary tracks or cams 87 ,88, 64,90, 91, 93

which are engageable with rollers 83 to recipjrocate the plungers 8 during advancement thereof about the casing 2LXlS,-'S66 Fig. 8. The

cams 87, 88, 93 are formed integral with each other. and are simultaneously "vertically adpistable by means ofscrewjacks 89. The

cams Gl, 90 are likewise formed integral with each other andare, simultaneously vertically adjustable, in'dependently'of the'cams 87, 88, 93, by means of screwjacks 89. The-cam v9i .is formed integral with. the casinglOand the I track 92 isformeddirectly upon the casing wall. The rollers 83 are carried. by pins on the upper ends of the plungersS, andthe pungers are formed of several parts as shown in 16. The main body of each plunger 8 is slidably fitted withinv the corresponding pocket? and has a wearing shoeTO secured thereto bymeans of. a pin 72. I Each wearing shoe 7 Ohasparallelsidescooperating -w'ith guidesurfaces of the element 4:0, and

has curved outer surface engageable direct-.

ice

1y with the'bore of the casing 10. The plung- 'ers 8 are thus effectively guided and held against'rotation." Theplungers 8 are freely .vertical'ly removable from the pockets 7 when the; rollers 83 are out of 'engagement' with the cams 87 90, and the pocketelement' LO is likewise freely vertically removable with theaid of handles 80. The center of the element 40 is bored to receive the upper extremijtyof the vertical driving shaft--11 which has a rectangular drive'head69 disposed within a lower recess in the element 40. I The driving shaft 11 is mounted in bearings lll tlle main frame 28 and has ahorizontal driving disk 13 rigidly'attached to a medial portion there i of. The disk 13 carries a series of six rollers 44Which are successively 'cooperable with a angles of casing "10.

g The automatic kraut feeding mechanism consists of a casing forming a horizontally tapered chamber 4 and ahorizontally oppositely tapered discharge conduit 5' communicating with the chamber 4 at a point of constriction;

. a supply hopper 2 having a downwardly diverging discharge portion 3 communicating with the'top of the'chamber 4 and a plurality of simultaneously'oscillatable and reciprocable feeding or raking fingers 6, 76 forxurging" dry kraut in ribbon formation through the chamber 4 and the conduit 5, see Figs. 1 2 and 5. Thecasingw'hic-hforms the chamher 4' and the conduit'5 ismounted upon the 7 main frame'28 and is attached to the stationary measuring casing 10. The fingers 6 are slidab'ly associated with transverse openingsinpivots 66 which are osci'llatably retained in vertical bores at the opposite sides of chamber 4. The pivots 66 are held inthe bores by gravity alone and are freely verti- I "cally removable as shownin Fig. 6. The

free ends of the side fingers 6 are movable,

. in horizontal looped pa't-hswithin the chamber f4ja'sshow'n. in Fig 5, and the opposite ends of "these fingers areprlovided with, reduced portions 73 which "are loosely attached to vertical p'ins 68 as shown in Fig. 17. I The pins'j68 are carried in frames and'rest upon horizontal angle bars as shown in Fig. 18. The

-. frames 65 are dtachably connected to verti -cal beafings'leeves by means of clamping bolts "67 ae-shown in Fig.6, and the sleeves embrace vertical crankpins 74 the opposite ends 'of which'are'mounted in eccentric bear} ings in the rotary driving disks 9, 71. The

"upper disks 7 1 are rotatably supported inremovable stationary "top frames 82 and the lower disks 9 are attached to the upperends of vertical drive 's'hafts146. 47. The free ends of the topjfingers76 are movable in vertical looped paths within the chamber 4'as shown 55' iniFig 9, andthe oppositej ends of these fingers are loosely attached to a crank pin. 84. p The crank'pin '84'iscarri'ed'by'laterally spacedcranks 78 whichlare attachedto horizontal I crank shafts 79. "fOne of thecrank' shafts 7 9 is drivingly connected 'toone of'the upright shafts 86 by means of bevel" gearing 'as The automatically" functioning mechanism for delivering the liquid to thesuccessive measuring pockets 7 consists of a liquid reserve tank 31 having an upper inlet 32 and a lower discharge 39; a manifold 62 communicating directly with the tank discharge 39;and a grid 63 formed integral with the casing 10 and communicating directly with the manifold 62. The flow of liquid to the tank 31 is controllable by means of a valve 41 operable by a lever 81 secured to one end of a pivot rod 161 the opposite end of which forms a support forv the main power control lever 19 of the machine, see Figs. 2 and 19. With this arrangement'of elements, the supply of liquid to the tank 31 is automatically cut off when the machine is stoppedand vice versa. The mixture of original-kraut juice and brine may be derived from a combined bleaching and sterilizing machine such as shown in Figs. 20 and 21 and comprising an enclosed casing 33 having a supply hopper 34 for supplying juice laden kraut and a brine [inlet pipe 36 for supplying regulable quantities of heated brine thereto. The casing 33 has an inclined bottom and a conveyor or rake 35 cooperates with this bottom to remove the dry kraut fibres from the liquid within the casing 33 and to deliver the fibrous material into the hopper 2 of the filling machine. The liquid supply or inlet 32 'of the tank 31 communicates With the liquid basin within thechamber 33 and may be provided with a flow control valve and a heater 37 for heating the mixture of original juice. and brine delivered 'to the tank 31.

The mechanism for automatically conveying the cans38in succession to, through and from the filling machine consists of a can supply chute 42 formed to automatically right-the successive cans 38; a continuously I rotatable frusto-conical can feed drum 29 mounted uponthe horizontal transverse shaft 1'5 and having a helical can conveying projection 26 formed integral with the delivery end thereof; an annular series of sixequa'lly spaced and intermittently movable can books 12 detacha'bly secured to the vertical main shaft 11 below the casing 10; a continuously lll) rotatable horizontal can discharge disk 30 secured to the upper extremity of a vertical 1 drive shaft 58 and normally stationary but readily adjustable can guides61 43, 57 associatedwith the feed drum'29, with'the can hooks 1 2,and with the discharge disk 30, respectively, see Figs. 1. 2 and 3. The can supply chute 42 communicates with a suitable source of supply and cooperates with the feed drum 29 to continuously deliver em'pt'ycans 38 in succession and at a predetermined rate of speed toward the path of the V A p ean hooks 12. The'can ho'oks12 are inter- Y shownfin'Figl2. Thetopfingers 76ipenetrate mittently movable withthe shaft 11 and the ,pockets'7, and are formed to receive the cans 38 in succession from-the feed drum 29 with the axes ofthe successive plunger-s 8. The can discharge disk 30 cooperates with the can hooks 12 to continuously remove the successive filled cans 38 from the path of movenent of the hooks, and is adapted to deliver the cans from the machine. The can guides 61, are angularlyadjustable. about vertical pivots, and all of the guides 61, i3, 57 are readily removable. I

The driving mechanlsm for lmparting motion to the various elements of the filling ,machine, consists of a continuously rotatable main horizontal drive shaft 16 supported in bearings in the frame 28; a drive pulley 17 and an idler pulley 18 associated with one end of the drive shaft 16 in awell known mannor; a belt shifter 59 operable by the control lever 19 to shift a belt which cooperates with the pulleys 17, 18; a worm 52 secured to a medial portion of the shaft 16and meshing witha worm wheel. 53 secured to the transverse horizontal shaft 15 to impart continnous rotary motion tothe said shaft; a spur gear, 27 and a hand wheel 60 associated with the opposite end of the drive shaft. 16 a counter shaft 25 extending parallel to the V drivelshaft 16 and having a spurv gear 2 1 which meshes Wlth: the gear 27, secured to one end thereof; a cross-shaft 21 extending parallel to the shaft 15 and having a medial bevel gear 22 which meshes with a bevel gear 23 secured to the opposite end of the shaft 25; and a pair of horizontal auxiliary shafts drivingly associated with end portions of the cross shaft 21 by means of evel gears-4:8,

- 50,- see Fig. 3. The grooved pocket and can hookdriving' member 14 and thecan feed drum29 are secured to and continuously rotatable with the transverse shaft 15, while bevel gears 54L- associated with an end of the shaft 15 are capable of imparting continuous rotation to the discharge disk driving shaft 58 through a counter shaft 55, a worm 20', and a worm wheel 56. The spur gears 27, 2% are readily removable from the shafts 16, 25 and may be replaced by gears having a different number of teeth in order to change the relative speed of the shaft 25 and the mechanismdriven thereby. Thehand wheel 60 provides means for manually operating the mechanism when the power is thrown off.

The continuous rotary motion of the cross shaft21 is transmitted through the bevel gears 1-8 which are secured thereto, to the 7 gears to the shafts/l5 through thebevel gears ,48 secured thereto; Therotary motion of the shafts :45 is transmitted through bevel gears bevel gears 50, and the vertical shafts 4&6

associatedtherewith,:and from these latter 4 9, 51 to the vertical shafts d7.

During. normal operation of the .mecha nism to carry on practicalexploitation of the improved process, thejuice laden krautis delivered fromthe vats through the hopper 34 to the automatic bleacher and sterilizer 33.

was?

In the sterilizer 33, a desiredamOunt of brine is added and the mixture of kraut, juice and brine is agitated and heated sufficiently to thoroughly bleach and sterilize the entire mixture. Thekra'ut fibres after being treated, are continuously removed from the miX- ture by the raking mechanism 35and are deliveredlin hot condition through the hopper 2 to the feeding chamber 4. Simultaneously with the'removal and discharge of the heated krautfibres, a definite'quantity of r the residual miXtureof brine and original puce is being dellvered by gravity from the sterilizer 33thr0ugh the filler supply pipe 82 to the reservetank31, and from the tank 31 through the discharge pipe 39 to the manifold 62. lVhile passing through the pipe the liquid may be additionally heated by meansof the heater 37. r p

the main drive shaft 16 is continuously rotated by means of power applied at the Figs. 5 and 9 to continuouslyrotate the can i plungers 8 withinthepockets 7. The hot kraut fibres admitted toth'e; chamber l are raked into substantially parallel ribbon for mationby the simultaneouslyoscillating and, g

I v .allyadvancedj through the chamber ibythe reciprocating fingers .6, -7 6, "and are gradusuccessive finge'rs 6 located at opposite sides of the feeding chamber... These fingers -func- 6 tion without tearing the kraut'fibres and as 7 one superposed set offingers6 is withdrawn from a mass of fibres, it leaves openings which are subsequently entered by a 'suc- I ceeding set of fingers of the same series. As the ribbon of kraut fibres proceeds toward the smaller end ofjthe chamber l, 1t is-eventthe progressively gradual enlargement of the conduit 5,the ribbon of substantially parallel kraut fibres passing therethrough, automati- V .110 'ually forced pastthe constricted discharge opening thereof into the conduit 5. Due to;

cally expands slightly,in a manner'similar to they expansion of materialpassing between the rollersof a wringenand is delivered at theside inlet opening ofcthje'casing' 10 in the form ofa gradually advancing stream of dry fibresof uniform texture. f

succession with their open sides in open co n- -munication with theldischa'rge ceiid'o'f the conduit 15 and are momentarily stopped with the plungers 8 therein in, upper position as shown in'Fig. 1 and at the extreme ends in Fig. 8. The advancing krautffibres enter the presented pocket? whileat'rest, substantially filling the spacebelow the plunger When The 'measur ngpoclrets'iare presented in a pocket has been thus filled with batch of fibres of definitevolume, the pocketis advanced and the trailing edge thereof automatically cooperates with the edge of the easing 10 to cut the measured batch of fibres from the advancingi'ibbon, as clearlyshown at 96 in Fig. 10'. The forward movement of thefilled pocket 7 7 causes the plunger 8 thereinto move downwardly and to slightly com-V press the confined batch of fibres by virtue of-engagement of the plunger roller 83 with the'cam track 87 ,see Fig. 8. As the moving kraut filled pocket7 is exposed to the liquid T supply grid 63,1theroller 83 of the plunger c J i V .ofthe cam track Gt and aga n elevates the 8 rides up the upwardly inclined forward end plunger, thereby permitting the mass of kraut fibres .to expand Slightly and causing a quantity of the hot liquid toenter the pocket 7 from the manifold 62. When the kraut laden pocket 7 has been brought in full communication with the liquidsupply grid 63 is again momentarily stopped thus insurin g complete filling of the pocket with a definite quantity of mixed k'raut and liquid. After being thus completely-filled, the measuring pocket 7 is "again advancedwiththeplunger 8 held in fixedupper position bythe camtrack 64, until 7 the bottom of the pocket 7 is exposed to a can 38- through the discharge opening 75. ,As soon astlie pocket7 has been thus fully exposed, the pocketlis again momentarily stopped'to permit the'liquid to flow by gravity into the can 38 below; Upon further ad- ;vancement of the pocket 7, the roller 83 of the corresponding plunger 8 engages the successive'cam tracks eaelanu is moved down- 7 Ward'ly,thereby positively forcing the remainder of the measured batch of kraut and brine from the pocket int'othe can 38. The

plunger 8 and the pocket 7 are then again momentarily stopped after which further movement of the pocket 7 causes the plunger 8- to move downwardly by virtue of engagement with the lowerp'ortion of the cam track 91, through theopening 75 and into the can v38 thus topping thematerial within the filled can. After topping, the movement of the plunger 8 i s reversed,the plunger being withdrawn from the'can through the opening 75 until the roller 83 engages; the horizontal track 92 whereupon the pocket 7 and the 7 plunger 8 are again momentarily stopped.

During the succeeding motion of the pocket 7 ,the plunger 8 is advanced'to the upwardly inclined forward portion of the elevating camtrack 93, whereupon a complete cycle of operations has been completed and successive repetitions thereofoccur. It will be apparent that each ofthe series of pockets 7 and plungers 8 pass successively through the same cycle thus automatically filling the successive cans 38 with homogeneous batches of original juice;

mlxture of kraut fibre and mixed brine and I I i i The successive empty cans 38 are gradual- 1y presented to the successive intermittently advancing can hooks 12 by the continuously rotating feed drum 29 and the can guide 61, Without danger of damaging the same. The can hooks 12 being driven by'the intermittently revolving shaft 11, advance the cans 38 step by step simultaneously with the pockets 7; The guide 43 coacts with the cans 38 during filling thereof as shownin Fig. 3. VAfter the cans 38 have been properly filled, they are delivered in succession by a fixed cam 'as shown in Fig. 3, to the continuously rotating can discharge disk 30 from which they are, discharged by the can guide 57. It will be apparent that while the can feed drum 29 and the discharge disk 00 operate continuously, to supply and discharge the cans,

thecan hooks 12 cooperating therewith, oper ate intermittently in order to insure alinement thereof at all times with the measuring pockets 7 and the plungers 8. i

Fromthe foregoing description it will be apparent that the entire mechanism performs its function automatically and effectively. The combined bleacher and sterilizer 33 properly conditions the material and'separates the kraut fibres from the juice, thus permitting independent and accurate measurement of the" solids and liquids and nsuring accurate; proportioning of the constituents in each final batch of mixture. The constriction in the hopper 2 besides producing uniform consistency of the mass of kraut fibres delivered into the feeding chamber 4, also regulates the feed When the machine is being supplied with a proper amount of kraut. By enlarging the portion 3 of the supply hopper 2, the kraut fibres are permitted to dropby gravity and with minimum resistance, toward the'feed chamber 4,

and the hopper 2 is quicklyremovable to exfingers 6 are substantially equi-distant apart and have practically equal throw, thus causing successive sets of fingers 6 to take hold where thepreceding sets left the mass of fibres, thus avoiding any tendency to tear the frail fibres. By causing the fingers '6 to travel away from the center of I the chamber 4; on the return stroke, obstruction to entry of the kraut mass is also avoided and the fibres freely assume a proper position preparatory tolfeeding. The drive for the to the point of cut-off as shown at 96, a i

fingers 6 is extremely effective and the rate of feeding may be readily varied by changing the gears 27, 24- at the ends of the shafts 16, 25 respectively. 7 v

By causing the pistons 8 in the measuring pockets 7 to compress and to return excess kr'aut fibres tothe conduit 5 until just prior minimum number of fibres are actually cut as each batch is severed from the mass. When the plungers 8 are elevated to admit liquid after compression, a definite quantity of liquid is admitted, depending upon the position ofvertical adjustment of the cam track 6 L. If arelat'ively dry pack is desired,.the track 64: may be placed in its lowermost position, Whereas elevation of thetrack 64 increases the proportion of liquid admitted. By admitting the liquid through agrid 63 to all vertical sections of the measured batches of kraut fibre, complete filling of each measing pocket 7 is assured. Variation 7 in volume of the measured batches as ell as variation in the proportions of the cons-titujents, may be readily secured by varying the position of the cam tracks 87, 88, 6%, 90, 93

"with the aid of the jack screws 89. The use facilitated. The guide plates ?0 act as keys to prevent the plungers 8 from'rotating due to lateral pressures on the rollers83, and the rollers may obviously be placed relatively near to the plunger axes, thus causing them to elevate the plungers Without buckling. The flat sided plungers8 and pockets 7 also permit free escape of air from'the cans 38 When the flat sided batches of fibre are dropped mto'the cans thus enhancing the permissible speed of operation.

' supply valve 4-1.

V It' Will thus be noted that the various elements of the structure are formed to effectively perform their several functions. WVhen the machine is'operating normally, a constantly uniform stream of heatedbrine and juice is being-Withdrawn from the sterilizer 33 and substantially constant supply of brine may be admitted to the sterilizer. machine may be quickly stopped by moving the lever 19 Which also controls the liquid I If it is desired to inspect or clean any part of the mechanism, covering structure may be readily removed. The hopperQ, plungers 8, element 40, fingers 6, 7,6, pivots 66 and the several adjustable cam tracks are obviously readilyremova-ble to ex pose the entire interior of. the feeding and measuring mechanism. The can guides 61,

The

ihvensa v 38 from thehooks 12 onto the: disks 30, as Well as the can hooks'l2and the discharge disk 30 are also freely removable. The driving 43, 57 and the guide for condu cting the cans Without removing other parts, thus making 7 all elements conveniently accessible.

lVhile the invention has been described as being specifically applied to a kraut filling machine, it Will be apparent that various oi the novelfeatures are capable of general apyplication'to other .classes'of filling and con-' ditioning-machines. It should be understood that it is not desiredto limit the inven- 7 tion to. the exact steps of theprocess or to the precise detail of construction of appa ratus herein shown and described, for various modifications Within thescope of the claims.

may occur to persons skilled in the art. I 7

It is claimed and desired to secure Let- "ters' Patent l r 1. In combination, a series of measuring pockets movable about an axis, a plurality of movable fingers formedto fill the successive 1 pocketsof said seriesvvhile at restlwith loose masses of dry kraut, means for subsi'equent-ly V adding sufficient liquid to the 'kraut conf ned ithin successlvepockets of said series't'o'till the spaces between the kraut fibres and means for: delivering the successivemeasured quan-' titres of krautjand llquid to receptacles.

"2. In combination, a series of measuring. pockets movable about an axis and each hav ing a side inlet opening, a plurality of movable'fingers formed to fill each of said pockets While at rest through said openings with dry kraut, means for subsequently delivering sufficient liquid into each of said pockets through said opening to produce measured batches of mixture, and means for delivering said batches to successive receptacles of a seriesthrough the ends of said pockets.

3. In combination, a series of measuring pockets, means for intermittently moving. said pockets, means for filling: eachof sa d pockets' hile at rest With loose masses of dry kra'ut, and means for subsequently delivering sufficient liquid into each of said' pockets while at rest to till the spaces 'betvve the kraut fibres. V

4:. In combination, a measuring. means for intermittentlymoving said pocket, a plunger Within said pocket, plural, means for independently delivering fibrous and liquid material tolsaidpocket while at rest,

said pocket is in motion. p Q 5. In combinatlon, a measuring pocket,

and means for moving said plunger While means for intermittentlymoving said pocket to different positions relatively to an axis,

plural means for independently delivering f I o 'nbrous and liquid mater1al to said pocket pocket,

hile at rest, and a plunger movable ithin said pocket to act upon said'ma'terialpnly while said pocket is in motion;

- able fromone position iJO21l10tl11,.I1182L11S for delivering solid materiallto successive pocksaid pockets in succession," plural means for -independentlydelivering fibrous and liquid ets :ofsaid series'whileatrest, means for delivering liquid tosuccessive pockets of saidseries While at rest, and a plunger movablevvithin each of said pockets only While in motion.

7. In'combination, a'niannular series of intermittently .movable measuring pockets, means-ton delivering solid material to the successive pockets hile at rest, means for subsequently delivering liquidto the successive'pockets While at rest, and a plunger mov-v able longitudinally Within each of said pocle ets While in motion 8. In combination, an annular series of measuring pockets revoluble aboutan axis, said pockets having their sides .located remote from; said axis open, means for delivering's'olid material to the successive pockets through said open sides, means for subsequently delivering liquid to v the successive pocketsthrough said open sides, and a plunger intermittently movable Within each of said pockets.

9. In combination, an annular series of measuring pockets each having an opening at theside, means for intermittently moving materials to said pockets through said open ings hile! said pockets are at rest, and a plunger movablewithin each of said pockets only While in motion. 1

10.111 combination, an annular series of measuring pockets eachhavmg an opening at the side, means for intermittently moving 'said pockets in succession about an axis,

means for delivering fibrous material to the successive pockets through said openings While said pockets are at rest, means for subsequently delivering liquid to the successive pockets through said openings While said pockets are at rest, and av plunger movable Within each of said pockets during movement thereof.

11. In combination, means forming a horizontally tapered chamber. a vertically tapered hopper having the larger end of said tapered portion located directly adjacent to the top of said chamber, and means for urging material delivered .to said chamber from said hopper toward the smaller end of said I chamber.

12, In combination, means forming a chamber of gradually decreasing cross sectional area toward an end thereof, simultane,

ously oscillatable and reciproeable fingers located on opposite sides of said chamber, and

asimultaneously oscillatable and recipro- 1 cable finger located above said chamber, said through said chamber in the direction of its constriction. i g

13. In combination, means forming a chamher having an end discharge opening, and a plurality of movable fingers extending into I said chamber from three sides, said fingers being movable to urge fibrous material in ribbon formation through said chamber and said openin v 14. .In combination, a casing having a plu-. rality of bores therein a pivot oscillatable in each of said bores, a finger slidable laterally through each of said pivots, and a frame for simultaneously moving corresponding outer ends of all of said fingers to cause the inner ends thereofto simultaneously feed material in the same direction. v

15. In combination, a casing having a plurality of parallel bores therein, a pivot oscillatably supported in each of said bores, a finger slidably supported by and laterally penetrating each of said pivots, and'a frame for simultaneously moving corresponding outer ends of said fingers through circular paths to cause the inner ends thereof to simultaneously feed material inthe same direction. I

16. In combination, a casing having a plurality of bores therein, a pivot supportedin each of said bores, a finger laterally penetrating'cach of said pivots, drivingmeansfor moving'said fingers, and a single frame coacting with all-of said fingers and detachably associated With said driving means. i

17. In combination, a casing, a plurality "of fingers penetrating a wall of said casing,

vertical pivot pins secured to corresponding" ends of said fingers, and a common support engaging the lower ends of all of saidpins.

18. In combination, a casing, a plurality of substantially parallel fingers penetrating each of the opposite side Walls of said casing, vertical pivot pins secured to corresponding ends of said fingers, and a support common to all of said pins. .19. In combination, a casing, a plurality of parallel fingers penetrating a side Wall or? said casing and lying in a horizontal plane, a pair of laterally spaced simultaneously revoluble crank pins, and a driving connec tion between said pins and all of said fingers. 20.- In combination, a casing, a plurality of parallel fingers penetrating the opposite side Walls of said casing and lying in a horizontal plane, a pairof cooperating laterally spaced and simultaneously revolu'ble crank pins disposed on each side of said casing, and common means tor simultaneously revolving all of said pins to move said. fingers on 0pposite sides ofsaid casing in the same direction relatively thereto.

21. In combination, an annular'series of measuring pockets each having a side inlet opening, means for delivering relatively dry fibrous material into each of the successive 1 said openings.

pockets through said opening, and means for subsequently, delivering liquid into each of said pockets throughsaid opening.

22. In combination, a measuring pocket revoluble about an axis and having a side inlet opening remote from said axis, means for delivering relatively dry fibrous material into said pocket through said opening,means for subsequently delivering liquid into said pockct through said opening, and means for subsequently delivering the miiturefrom said pocket.

23. In combination, a measuring pocket revolub'le about an axis, said pocket having a side inlet opening and an en d discharge opening, plural means for delivering relatively dry fibrous material and liquid into said pocket through said side opening at different times, and means for simultaneously discharging said materials from said pocket through said end opening 24. In combination, a casing comprising a wall having solid and liquid material supply openings at spaced" portions thereof, and a measuring pocket successively movable to a position of communication with and rest at 25. In'combination, an annular casing having'spa'c'ed solids and liquid inlet openings therein,'and an annular series of measuring pockets intermittently movable to positions of communicationv with and rest at said open ings. v e

In combination, a. casing comprising an annular wall having cam tracks at an end thereof a member formin r series of )OOkGiJS movable within and having one side bounded by said wall, anda plunger 111 each of Sdld chambers intermittently 'movable in direct contact with said all and said mernbersby engagement with said tracks. v

27. In combination, a casing comprising an annular wall, a'series of cam tracks associated with an end of said well, a member forming an annular series or measuring pockets intermittently movable within and having one side bounded by said Wall, and aplunger movable within each of saidpockets indirect contact with said wall and said member during movement thereof by virtue of engagement with said tracks. I

28. In combination, a casing comprising an annular wall, a series of cam tracks associated with the upper end of said wall, a member forming an annular series of measuring pockets intermittently movable Within andhaving one side bounded by said wall, a plunger within each of said pockets movable by said tracks indirect contact with said wall and said member, and means for efiecting verticaladjustment of said tracks to vary the stroke of said plungers.

29. In combinatiom'a measuring pocket having'aparallel sided side opening, a fiat sidedplungermovable within said pocket,

anda removable guide associatedwith said plunger and coactmg with the parallel sides of said opening to prevent rotation of said plunger within said pocket.

80. In combination, a cylindrical measur 'ing pockethaving aside opening provided ith parallel sides, a flat sided plunger 7 snugly fitting said pocket, and a removable plunger guide coacting with said pocket at u said opening sides.

31. In combination, a measuiingl pocket having two side surfaces of "different curvature, means for revolving said pocket'about the center of greatest curvature, and a OSWALD n. HANSEN. 

